Aerosol valve mounting



Aug. 18, 1959 E. J. u'rz AEROSOL VALVE MOUNTING 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 27, 1956 JWM' 262; 2 zdolajflvu Hm OH N 7 5 I! N i. l .H. mm .v H m NW Mm, NLNI WM AW W MN mm M wm S mm @N @N mm Aug. 18, J. UTZ AEROSOL VALVE MOUNTING Filed Aug. 27, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States PatentO AEROSOL VALVE MOUNTING Ernst J. Utz, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Aerosol Research Company, a corporation of Illinois Application August 27, 1956, Serial No. 606,426 13 Claims. (Cl. 222-'-394) V The present invention relates to an aerosol valve mounting, and is particularly concerned with means for mounting diiferent aerosol valve assemblies on a can'without the use of a mounting cup.

Heretofore mounting cups have been considered essential in connection with the application of an aerosol valve assembly to a can because valves are not of uniform external diameter. The mounting cup was considered to be necessary with valves of non-uniform size because it is impractical to provide cans with openings of 'different sizes to fit such valves. Furthermore the top of the can is not adapted to secure the valve in place. Cans for this purpose, therefore, were provided with standardized top openings, and mounting cups of standardized external dimensions, but having various sizes of internal openings for fitting valve structures of different sizes, were sealed to the top openings of the cans.

The use of a mounting cup requires an outer seal for sealing the mounting cup to the can opening. Applicant, by eliminating this outer seal, has removed'one possible source of leakage, and, in addition, has reduced the manufacturing expense of the can.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a valve mounting'means of standard size that can be incorporated into a can at the time of its manufacture, without any substantial additional expense over the manufacturing cost of conventional cans. The mounting may be used with aerosol valves of the same size regardless of the interior structure of the valve. The invention also contemplates a slight modification of aerosol valves of smaller size to adapt them for use with the standard size mounting. a I

The valve mounting may be incorporated in cans at the time of manufacture regardless of whether the cans are seamed or drawn. This permits the manufacture of the cans on a quantity production basis, and customers intending to assemble the cans with aerosol valves may order the, cans from stock. The stock purchase of cans is advantageous from the standpoint of price, and also because delivery is faster when the cans do not have to be manufactured on special order.

The valve mounting is designed primarily for containers having rigid walls, but may also be used with containers having collapsible walls, such as tubes commonly used for tooth paste.

Although the interior valve structure shown in the drawings is the same in each of the figures, it should be understood that this specific interior valve structure is not part of my invention, and that my mounting means may be incorporated in the can structure for mounting any type of aerosol valve.

The structure by means of which the above and other advantages of the invention are attained will be described in the following specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, showing a few preferred illustrative embodiments of the invention, in which:

' Figure 1 is'a side elevational view of a seamed can provided with a valve mounting embodying the invention;

2,900,114 Patented Aug. 18, 1959 ice Fig. 2'is a fragmentary cross sectional view of an aerosol valve mounted in a can in accordance with the invention;

- Fig. 3 is a view, partly in elevation, and partly in section, showing the valve assembly before it is mounted in the can;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of a drawn can provided with a valve mounting embodying the invention;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view showing one embodiment of structure for adapting a smaller valve to a mounting of standard size;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary cross sectional view showing a different embodiment of the valve mounting; and

Fig. 7 is a view, partly in elevation, and partly in section, showing another embodiment of the mounting.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the reference numeral 2 indicates a can having a top wall 3 seamed at the upper edge of the can body in conven tional manner. The center portion of top wall 3 is drawn upwardly to provide an upstanding tubular neck 4. Neck 4 has an annular inwardly extending rib 5 adapted to furnish a seat for a gasket 6 which forms a seal for the valve 7.

As shown in Fig. 2, the valve comprises a tubular shell 8 having an external bead 9 at its upper edge, and a tubular stem 10 depending from its bottom. A syphon tube 11 is secured to stem 10. A valve body 12 is slidably mounted in the upper portion of shell 8 and is pro.- vided with a depending skirt 13. The outside diameter of skirt 13 is less than the inside diameter of shell 8 to provide a passageway 14 therebetween for the flow of the contents of can 2 forced upwardly through syphon tube 11. A compression spring 15-is housed within shell 8 with one end biased against the underside of valve body 12 and the other end seated in the bottom of the tubular shell. The lower portion of shell 8 is provided with internal ribs 16 to prevent lateral displacement of the spring.

The top of shell 8 has a recess 17 therein to receive a tubular stem 18 depending from a spray cap 19. A

, discharge outlet 20 in the spray cap communicates with a vertical bore 21 formed as a continuation of the interior bore of stem 18. A centrally disposed boss 22 extends upwardly from the bottom of recess 17 with its outer edges spaced inwardly of the vertical walls of the recess a distance sufficient to allow the lower portion of stem 18 to fit therebetween. The lower end of stem 18 is recessed to provide an external shoulder 23 and is provided witha vertical metering slot 24 extending a short distance above shoulder 23.

The upper end of shell 8 is retained, in a manner hereinafter described, within a ferrule 25 in engagement with the underside of an annular gasket 26 having a centrally disposed opening 27 of substantially the same diameter as the upper portion of stem 18. The ferrule fits slidably within tubular neck 4, and its top wall 28, which extends inwardly over the top of gasket 26, has an opening 29 slightly larger than the opening 27. An annular recess 30 is formed on the outer edge of the top of ferrule 25. The lower edge of ferrule 25 is provided with an internal bead 31 having an inside diameter substantially equal to the outside diameter of shell 8. As seen from a comparison of Figures 2, 5 and 6 with Figure 3, the spray tip is removable and replaceable as a unit since the central openings 29 and 27 are in registration with each other and with the recess 17 to receive the stem 18 to actuate the valve and to permit the stem 18 to be Withdrawn therefrom.

In the assembly of the valve, the valve body 12 and spring 15 are positioned within shell 8 and gasket 26 is reversed and shell 8 is pressed downwardly until its bead 9 is forced past head 31. It will be obvious that the ferrule could just as well be forced downwardly until bead 31 snaps past bead 9. In either case the head 31 confines head 9 against gasket 26 to keep valve body 12 within shell 8 and to prevent any relative movement betweenshell 8 and gasket 26. The valve is thenready for assembly with neck 4.

As previously stated, can 2 is provided with an upstanding neck 4 having an inwardly extending rib 5 spaced from its upper edge. The rib 5 is shown as being positioned at the bottom of neck 4, but it may be positioned anywhere along the neck as long as a sufficient portion of the neck extends above the rib to permit the upper end of the neck to be spun downwardly around the top of ferrule 25, as hereinafter described. The rib is shown as extending inwardly in the shape of a V, but it may be any desiredshape as, for example, rectangular or circular, since its purpose is to furnish a seat for the annular sealing gasket 6.

After the contents have been put in the can, the sealing gasket 6 is dropped into neck 4 and seated on the upper edge of rib 5. The valve 7, which has been previously assembled, is then dropped into neck 4, with the syphon tube 11 projecting through the opening 32 in gasket 6. The shell 8 is also pushed through opening 32 until the lower edge of ferrule 25 engages gasket 6. If desired, the gasket 6 may be placed around the shell 8 against the lower edge of ferrule 25, and when the valve 7 is pushed downwardly as far as it will go the gasket will be seated on the upper edge of rib 5. When the valve is in position the upper edge of neck 4 is spun down in the recess 30, as indicated at 33. In cases where a valve permitting ipressure filling is used, the can may be filled and the upper edge of the neck spun down in one operation.

Many parts of the structure in the various embodiments 'of the invention shown in the drawings are identical and the description of each embodiment will be limited to'the structure that is different, the identical structure being identified by the same reference numerals in the different embodiments. Fig. 4 shows a can 2 that is drawn instead of seamed, but it has a neck 4 identical to the neck of the seamed can 2.

In the embodiment of Fig. 5 the neck 4 of the'can is the same as in the embodiment of Figs. 2 and 3, but the outside diameter of the valve 7' is smaller than that of valve 7. The shell 8 is provided at its upper edge with an external head 9. The ferrule 36 has the same outside diameter as ferrule 25 so that it fits in neck 4, and the lower edge of the outer wall 37 of the ferrule engages the gasket 6 seated on the upper edge of rib 5. Wall 37 does not have an internal bead to engage bead 9, but the ferrule 36is provided with an inner depending skirt 38 provided with an internal bead 39 on its lower edge to engage head 9 to hold shell 8 in proper position. A gasket 40 between the upper edge of shell 8 and the underside of top wall 41 is similar to gasket 26, but is smaller since it extends only to the inner edge of skirt 38.

In the embodiment of Fig. 6 the valve 7 of Fig. 5 is used with a different ferrule 42. The ferrule is provided with the same depending skirt 38, but the outer wall 37 of Fig. 5 is eliminated. The top wall 43 of the ferrule 42 is extended outwardly beyond skirt 38 so that it has the same outside diameter as neck 4. The upper edge of neck 4 is bent over to form a flange 44 below the underside of top wall 43, and wall 43 rests on the flange. The ferrule 42 is secured to the top of the can by a collar 45 which has its lower edge 46 crimped into the outside of rib 5 and its upper edge 47 spun down over the outer edge of top wall 43. A gasket 48 is provided between the flange 44 and the underside of top wall 43 to provide a seal between collar 46 and neck 4 of the can.

In Fig. 7 the structure is identical to that of Fig. 2 except that neck 49 is provided with an internal annular rib 50between rib 5 and the downwardly spun portion 33 of the neck. The rib 50 engages the outer edge of ferrule 4 25 to provide a seal, thereby eliminating the gasket 6 oi Fig. 2.

While I have described a"few preferred embodiments of my invention in considerable detail, it will be understood that the description thereof is illustrative, rather than restrictive, as many details may be modified or changed Without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to be restricted to the exact structure described.

I claim:

1. In combination, 'a metal can having an upstanding neck and a stop member extending inwardly from said neck, and an aerosol valve comprising a tubular shell, a valve body in said shell, agasket positioned against the top of said shell, and a ferrule for holding said gasket against the top of said shell, said ferrule having a top wall engaging said gasket, a cylindrical side wall slidably fitting in said neck, and a skirt depending from said top wall and spaced inwardly from said side wall, said ferrule resting on said stop member, said skirt and said shell having interengaging means for holding said ferrule and said shell together.

2. In combination, a metal can having an upstanding neck and a stop member extending inwardly from said neck, and an aerosol valve, said valve comprising a tubular shell, a valve body in said shell, a gasket positioned against the top of said shell, and a ferrule for holding said gasket against the top of said shell, said ferrule having a top wall engaging said gasket, a cylindrical side. wall slidably fitting in said neck, and a skirt, depending from said top wall and spaced inwardly from said side wall, said ferrule resting on said stop member, said shell having an external annular bead adjacent its top, said depending skirt having an internal annular bead, said annular beads being engaged to hold said ferrule and .said shell together.

3. In combination, a metal can having an upstanding neck and a stop member extending inwardly from said neck, and an aerosol valve, said valve comprising 'a tubular shell, a valve body in said shell, a gasket positioned against the top of said shell, and a ferrule for holding said gasket against the top of said shell, said ferrule having a top wall engaging said gasket, a cylindrical side wall slidably fitting in said neck, and a skirt depending from. said top walland spaced inwardly from said side Wall, the upper edge of said neck being bent inwardly and downwardly against the top of said ferrule to confine said ferrule between said stop member and the bent over top of said neck.

4. An aerosol valve assembly comprising a tubular shell having an upstanding side wall and an outer peripheral head on said side walladjacent to the upper edge thereof, a valve body movable in said shell, a valveseating gasket positioned in the path of said valve body against the top of the side wall of said shell, said gasket sealing against said valve body, a ferrule having a top wall overlying and engaging said gasket, a depending circumferential side wall on said ferrule, and an inwardly extending peripheral bead on said side wall of said ferrule, said bead on said side wall of said ferrule being intereng'aged with the under side of the bead on the side wall ofsaid shell to secure the valve parts together in operative assembled relation, to provide a self-sustaining valve assembly, and to maintain said gasket against the top of said side wall of said shell.

5. An aerosol valve assembly comprising a tubular shell having an upstanding side wall and an outer peripheral head on said side wall adjacent to the upper edge thereof, a valve body movable in said shell, a valve seating gasket positioned in the path of said valve body against the top of the side wall of said shell, said gasket sealing against said valve body, a ferrule having a top wall over: lying and engaging said gasket, a depending circumferential side wall on said ferrule, and an inwardly extending peripheral bead on said sidewall of said ferrule, one of said beads having a chamfered edge to facilitate interengagement of said beads, said bead on said side wall of said ferrule being interengaged with the underside of the bead on the side wall of said shell to secure the valve parts together in operative assembled relation, to provide a self-sustaining valve assembly, and to maintain said gasket against the top of said side Wall of said shell.

6. In combination, a metal can having an upstanding neck and a stop member extending inwardly of said neck, and an aerosol valve assembly disposed within said neck, said aerosol valve assembly comprising a tubular shell having an upstanding side wall and an outer peripheral bead on said side wall adjacent to the upper edge thereof, a valve body in said shell, a gasket positioned against the top of the side wall of said shell, a ferrule having a top wall overlying and engaging said gasket, a depending circumferential side wall on said ferrule, and an inwardly extending peripheral head on said side wall of said ferrule, said bead on said side wall of said ferrule being interengaged with the underside of the head on the side wall of said shell to secure the valve parts together in operative assembled relation, to provide a self-sustaining valve assembly, and to maintain said gasket against the top of said side wall of said shell, said ferrule being seated on said stop member extending inwardly of said neck on said can and the upper edge of said neck being bent inwardly and downwardly against the top of said ferrule to confine said ferrule within said neck and between said stop member and said bent upper edge of said neck.

7. In combination, a metal can having an upstanding neck and a peripheral stop member extending inwardly of said neck, and an aerosol valve assembly disposed within said neck, said aerosol valve assembly comprising a tubular shell having an upstanding side wall and an outer peripheral bead on said side wall adjacent to the upper edge thereof, a valve body in said shell, a gasket positioned against the top of the side wall of said shell, a ferrule having a top wall overlying and engaging said gasket, a depending circumferential side wall on said ferrule, and an inwardly extending peripheral bead on said side wall of said ferrule, said bead on said side wall of said ferrule being interengaged with the underside of the bead on the side wall of said shell to secure the valve parts together in operative assembled relation, to provide a self-sustaining valve assembly, and to maintain said gasket against the top of said side wall of said shell, a sealing gasket seated on said stop member extending inwardly of said neck on said can, said ferrule being seated on said gasket on said stop member, the upper edge of said neck being bent inwardly and downwardly against the top of said ferrule to confine said ferrule within said neck and between the gasket on said stop member and said bent upper edge of said neck.

8. In combination, a metal can having an upstanding neck and a stop member extending inwardly of said neck, and an aerosol valve assembly disposed within said neck, said neck having a peripheral configuration to slidably receive said aerosol valve assembly, said aerosol valve assembly comprising a tubular shell having an upstanding side wall and an outer peripheral bead on said side wall adjacent to the upper edge thereof, a valve body in said shell, a gasket positioned against the top of the side wall of said shell, a ferrule having a top wall overlying and engaging said gasket, a depending circumferen'tial side wall on said ferrule, and an inwardly extending peripheral bead on said side wall of said ferrule, said bead on said side wall of said ferrule being interengaged with the underside of the bead on the side wall of said shell to secure the valve parts together in operative assembled relation, to provide a self-sustaining valve assembly, and to maintain said gasket against the top of said side wall of said shell, said ferrule being seated on said stop member and inter-fitting in said neck, and the upper edge of said neck being bent inwardly and downwardly against the top of said ferrule to confine said ferrule within said neck and between said stop member and said bent upper edge of said neck.

9. In combination with an aerosol valve as set forth in claim 4, a metal can having an upstanding neck, said neck having a stop portion extending inwardly of said neck at the upper edge thereof and having an inwardly extending peripheral bead thereon, said top wall of said ferrule extending outwardly from said side wall thereof and overlying said stop portion of said neck, and a collar having an upper portion overlying said top wall of said ferrule and a lower portion extending into said bead in said neck to secure said valve and said can together.

10. A combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein said ferrule has a second, outer side wall radially spaced from the first mentioned side wall of said ferrule, the lower edge of said outer side wall being seated on said stop member. 1

v11. A combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein said neck is provided with an inwardly projecting peripheral rib which engages the side wall of said ferrule and cooperates therewith to provide a seal between said can and said valve assembly.

12. An aerosol valve assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said gasket and said top wall of said ferrule have registering central openings therein to receive a stem of a removable and replaceable spray tip to actuate said valve.

13. An aerosol valve assembly as set forth in claim 4, further comprising registering central openings in said gasket and in the top wall of said ferrule, a central recess in said valve body at the upper end thereof, and a removable and replaceable spray tip having a depending tubular valve stem insertable through said registering openings and into said recess in said valve body to actuate said valve assembly.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,686,652 Carlson et a1. Aug. 17, 1954 2,818,202 Abplanalp Dec. 31, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,109,971 France Feb, 3, 1956 

